Apparatus for covering refuse receptacles

ABSTRACT

A container cover for covering otherwise open containers, such as recycle bins, includes a mesh material bounded by a flexible elastic cord that allows for adaptation of the container cover to containers of various sizes and shapes. A handle mechanism connected to the mesh material or to the elastic cord provides for quick removal of the container cover from a container and a securing mechanism provides for permanent attachment of the container cover to a container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/386,611, filed Jun. 5, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention is directed to refuse receptacles and, more particularly, to covers to be used with refuse receptacles.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Recently, curbside recycle bins have become commonplace in residential communities. Much like regular refuse collection containers, recyclable refuse containers are generally placed outside individual dwellings for collection and disposal according to a community's established schedule. The primary distinction between regular refuse and recyclable refuse is in their respective containers.

[0004] Recycle bins theoretically contain only those items made from recyclable materials, such as cardboard, plastics, glass, and aluminum. Unlike regular refuse containers, which typically have matching lids, recycle bins are not currently adapted with any mechanism or apparatus for securing the recyclable items within the bin. This absence of a lid or securing apparatus allows the recyclable items to freely overflow from a container filled to or beyond capacity. Furthermore, recyclable refuse placed outdoors for collection is subject to outdoor elements, most notably, wind. Consequently, recyclable refuse oftentimes is not actually contained within these recycle bins while awaiting collection and disposal. While recycling programs represent an admirable effort with regard to environmental protection, their purpose is obviously defeated in cases where the recyclable refuse, placed in curbside bins for collection, is not actually contained within the bins, but instead becomes wind-blown litter.

SUMMARY

[0005] A container cover for use with containers, such as refuse containers and more particularly, recycle containers, secures items, such as recyclable items, within the containers. This container cover includes, for example, a mesh material bordered with a flexible, elastic cord. The container cover is adapted to be placed over the opening of an otherwise uncovered container, such as a recycle bin. In one embodiment, the elastic cord has an adjustable cinch clasp allowing adaptation of the container cover to containers of various sizes and shapes. In another embodiment, the container cover includes a quick release handle that allows a person emptying the container to quickly remove the container cover. In yet another embodiment, the container cover includes a mechanism that enables the cover to be permanently secured to the container. These foregoing embodiments remedy the shortcomings described above with regard to uncovered, conventional containers, such as recycle bins. The container cover both covers and firmly fixes refuse in containers filled to and beyond capacity, preventing free overflow of waste. Furthermore, by covering and securing the items in a bin, this container cover prevents waste from becoming wind blown litter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The features and advantages of the container cover described herein will be best appreciated upon reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007]FIG. 1 illustrates a flexible cover for a container, such as a recycle bin; and

[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container cover of FIG. 1 secured over the opening of a conventional recycle bin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] A container cover 8 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as including, among other things, a rectangular shaped, mesh material 10. Typically, the perimeter of the mesh material 10 is larger than the top of a container which the container cover 8 is intended to cover. A border 11 of the mesh material 10 may be folded over and sewn to form a seam 12 having four distinct sections corresponding to each side of the rectangular shaped, mesh material 10. Construction of the seam 12 in FIG. 1 is such that the seam 12 does not run continuously around the corners of the mesh material 10, but instead, sections of the mesh material 10 are cut at each corner so that the seam 12 stops and starts at each corner. However, the seam 12 could run continuously around the perimeter of the mesh material 10.

[0010] A linear, flexible elastic cord 14 is housed within the seam 12. Due to the construction of the seam 12 in four distinct sections, portions of the elastic cord 14 are exposed at the corners of the mesh material 10. The elastic cord 14, which may be longer than the perimeter of the mesh material 10, has two end segments 17 that extend out from the seam 12. An adjustable, spring loaded cinch clasp 16 is disposed on and accepts the elastic cord 14 so as to secure the end segments 17 together and to allow for adjustment of the length and tension of the elastic cord 14 within the seam 12. In particular, opening and moving the adjustable cinch clasp 16 along the elastic cord 14 towards the mesh material 10 decreases the length of the elastic cord 14 housed within the seam 12 and increases the length of the end segments 17 of the elastic cord 14 extending out from the seam 12. In this manner, the size of the container cover 8 is adjustable to accommodate containers of numerous sizes and shapes.

[0011] The container cover 8 may also include a quick release handle 18 that extends out from the seam 12, the mesh material 10, or preferably, the elastic cord 14 exposed at one of the corners of the mesh material 10. The quick release handle 18 may be made of fabric, such as polyester or canvas, folded over and sewn in two places so as to include a seam disposed in the fabric for housing the elastic cord 14. In this manner, the quick release handle 18 includes a doubled-over fabric that is attached to the container cover 8 by way of the elastic cord 14 exposed at one of the corners of the mesh material 10. The quick release handle 18 can be used to quickly remove the container cover 8 from atop a container (not shown).

[0012] A securing mechanism 20 capable of permanently securing the container cover 8 to a container may also be attached at, for example, the perimeter of the container cover 8. The securing mechanism 20 may be a plastic tie capable of forming a loop that functions in combination with a hole disposed in a wall of a container to permanently attach the container cover 8 to the wall of the container. The securing mechanism 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a linear, plastic tie that can be fastened to form a one-way-adjustable loop. The securing mechanism 20 may be attached anywhere on the container cover 8, for instance, to the mesh material 10, to the seam 12 of the mesh material 10, or preferably, to the elastic cord 14 exposed at one of the corners of the mesh material 10.

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates the container cover 8 depicted in FIG. 1 when mounted on a container 21. Operating in conjunction, the elastic cord 14 and the adjustable cinch clasp 16 provide the container cover 8 with an adjustable opening capable of expanding over containers of varying sizes and shapes, whether empty or filled beyond capacity. When expanded to stretch over the opening of a conventional recycle bin, the elastic cord 14 functions to secure the container cover 8 firmly around the walls 22 of the container 21, therefore securing any items, such as recyclable items, inside the container 21. The container cover 8 is best suited to containers having a lip 23 under which the elastic cord 14 and seam 12 can be secured with the lip 23 preventing the elastic cord 14 from slipping over the top of the container 21. Accordingly, the free overflow of waste is prevented.

[0014] The quick release handle 18 attached at, for example, the perimeter of the container cover 8, allows for quick and easy removal of the container cover 8 from atop the container 21. When the container cover 8 is in use, e.g., covering an otherwise open container 21, one may simply pull the handle 18 to stretch the elastic cord 14 and thereby expand the seam 12 of the mesh material 10 out from the walls 22 of the container 21 and then lift and remove the container cover 8 from atop the container 21. This aspect of the container cover 8 allows a person emptying the container 21 to quickly and easily remove the container cover 8 from the container 21 in a nominal amount of time, without having to manipulate the adjustable cinch clasp 16.

[0015] The securing mechanism 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a plastic tie that functions in combination with a hole 24 in one of the walls 22 or the lip 23 of the container 21 to permanently attach the container cover 8 to the container 21. In particular, the tie is disposed through the hole 24 and around the elastic cord 14 exposed at one of the corners of the mesh material 10. The securing mechanism 20, in the form of a plastic tie, may then be fastened to form a loop thereby securing the container cover 8 to the container 21 in a permanent manner and yet allowing the cover 8 to be removed from and disposed over the top of the container 21. By securing the container cover 8 to the container 21, the owner can be certain that the container cover 8, once removed from atop the container 21, will stay attached to the container 21, rather than lost or thrown away by the person emptying the container 21, or alternatively, blown away.

[0016] While the basic components and structure of a container cover 8 are described in detail above, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention. For example, the mesh material 10 may be any flexible material including netting, woven polyester or nylon, canvas, felt, plastic, etc. This material need not be a mesh material but could be solid or otherwise perforated in any other manner. Further, the mesh material 10 need not be rectangular in shape, but could be any shape, such as circular or square. Likewise, the quick release handle 18 may be made of any suitable fabric. Alternatively, the quick release handle 18 may be made of a rigid material, such as plastic, and may include a gripping contour disposed in the material. In addition, the elastic cord 14 housed by the seam 12 of the mesh material 10 may instead be woven through the mesh material 10 or a comparable fabric. In another embodiment, the elastic cord 14 may be secured within the seam 12, such as by sewing the elastic cord 14 housed within the seam 12 to the mesh material 10. Further, the ends of the elastic cord 14 may be housed within the seam 12 of the mesh material 10 rather than disposed through the cinch clasp 16 at the corner of the mesh material 10. In this case, the cinch clasp 16 would operate in the same manner as described above; however, the elastic cord 14 on which the cinch clasp 16 operates would run continuously through the cinch clasp 16 while the ends of the elastic cord 14 would remain housed within the seam 12. Alternatively, the end segments 17 of the elastic cord 14, which accept the cinch clasp 16, may be connected to form a loop by, for example, sewing the ends together. While the elastic cord 14 is illustrated herein as a typical circular cross-sectional material, it could, alternatively, be any other elastic material such as an elastic band sewn or otherwise attached to the mesh material 10. In addition, any other structures that would allow alteration of the length of the elastic cord 14 housed within the seam 12 of the mesh material 10 could be substituted for the single cinch clasp 16 shown as disposed on and accepting both ends of the elastic cord 14. For example, a cinch clasp could be disposed on one end of the elastic cord 14 while the other end of the elastic cord 14 is secured to the mesh material 10. Alternatively, a separate cinch clasp could be placed on each end of the elastic cord 14. Further, the securing mechanism 20 may be made of plastic, metal wire, fabric, etc. Alternatively, rather than functioning in combination with a hole 24 drilled in the wall 22 of the container 21, the securing mechanism 20 may be made of any material disposed on the container cover 8 that is capable of attaching to the container 21 using, for example, a snap or a button disposed on the wall 22 of the container 21. Likewise, any adhesive means, such as Velcro, i.e., hook and loop fastener, may be utilized for securing the container cover 8 to the container 21. In this manner, one piece of Velcro may be attached to the container 21, with, for example, adhesive, while the corresponding piece of Velcro may be attached to the container cover 8, with, for example, stitching or sewing.

[0017] Thus, while the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, which are intended to be illustrative only and not to be limiting of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that changes, additions or deletions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A container cover comprising: a flexible material having a periphery; an elastic member disposed around the periphery of the flexible material; and a tension adjusting apparatus disposed on the elastic member adapted to adjust tension applied by the elastic member.
 2. The container cover according to claim 1, further including a quick release handle disposed on the container cover.
 3. The container cover according to claim 2, further including a securing mechanism.
 4. The container cover according to claim 1, further including a securing mechanism.
 5. The container cover according to claim 4, wherein the securing mechanism is a one-way-adjustable tie.
 6. The container cover according to claim 4, wherein the securing mechanism is selected from the group consisting of: a snap combination, a button combination, a hook and loop fastener combination, and an adhesive.
 7. The container cover according to claim 1, wherein the flexible material is a mesh material.
 8. The container cover according to claim 1, wherein the flexible material includes a seam that is adapted to house the elastic member so that the elastic material is disposed around substantially the entire periphery of the flexible material.
 9. The container cover according to claim 1, wherein the tension adjusting apparatus is a spring loaded cinch clasp.
 10. The container cover according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a flexible elastic cord.
 11. The container cover according to claim 10, wherein the elastic cord has two free ends.
 12. The container cover according to claim 11, wherein the two free ends accept at least one spring loaded cinch clasp.
 13. The container cover according to claim 1, wherein the flexible material is rectangular in shape and has four edges and four corners.
 14. The container cover according to claim 13, wherein each of the four edges include an independent seam adapted to house the elastic member.
 15. The container cover according to claim 14, wherein the elastic member is housed within the independent seams and includes an exposed portion at each of the corners of the flexible material.
 16. The container cover according to claim 15, wherein the elastic member is a flexible elastic cord.
 17. The container cover according to claim 16, wherein one of the exposed portions includes two free ends of the elastic cord.
 18. The container cover according to claim 17, wherein the two free ends accept a spring loaded cinch clasp.
 19. The container cover according to claim 15, further including a quick release handle disposed on one of the exposed portions of the elastic member.
 20. The container cover according to claim 15, further including a securing mechanism disposed on one of the exposed portions of the elastic member.
 21. The container cover according to claim 15, wherein the tension adjusting apparatus is disposed on one of the exposed portions of the elastic member.
 22. An apparatus adapted to cover a container comprising: a flexible, rectangular-shaped material having four corners and four edges; an independent seam disposed at each of the four edges; an elastic member housed in the independent seams and having an exposed portion at each of the corners of the flexible material; and a tension adjusting device disposed on the elastic member adapted to adjust the tension applied by the elastic member.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the tension adjusting device is a spring loaded cinch clasp.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the elastic member has two ends that extend from one or more of the independent seams, wherein the two ends accept the tension adjusting device.
 25. The apparatus of claim 22, further including a quick release handle disposed on the apparatus.
 26. The apparatus of claim 22, further including a securing mechanism disposed on the apparatus.
 27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the flexible material is a mesh material.
 28. A method of covering a container with a flexible material having an elastic member coupled to a periphery of the flexible material to define an expandable opening, comprising: expanding the opening to a size sufficient to receive the container; placing the material over the container so that the opening surrounds an open side of the container defined by one or more container walls; releasing the opening so that the elastic material engages the one or more container walls; and adjusting a tension adjusting apparatus disposed on the elastic member to either increase or decrease tension applied by the elastic member to the one or more container walls.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein adjusting the tension adjusting apparatus includes manipulating a spring loaded clasp.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein expanding the opening includes manipulating a quick release handle disposed on the container cover.
 31. The method of claim 28, further including securing the container cover to the container using a securing mechanism.
 32. The method of claim 28, further including removing the container cover from the container.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein removing the container cover includes manipulating a quick release handle disposed on the container cover. 